Episode 16 (6.1)
November 9, 2008 07:07 PM
* * *
The final preparations are being made for the Halloween party that’s upcoming. Carleen hangs up some decorations from the ceiling; As she comes down the ladder, it begins to sway and it appears like she may lose her balance. Levy quickly steadies it and keeps her from falling. She steps down the wobbly ladder and collapses into his arms; For a moment she stayed there. They almost looked comfortable, but then Carleen broke away from her husband. She offered him a soft smile, then hustled off to begin decorating again.
Lynne walked past her father, who was watching her retreating mother. Seeing the exchange, she had her own discomfort show on her face.
Isabel and Molly were hanging up shirts when a man reached and tapped Iz on the shoulder. She turned and beamed at Julio.
* * *
Tori walked into the kitchen to find her brother helping himself to cereal. “Oh, you’re still here?”
Tim glanced up at his sister, “Why wouldn’t I still be here? I told you, I have to meet with Isabel.”
She opened up a cabinet and pulled out a breakfast bar. She pulled back the wrapper and began to nibble on the granola. “Did you ever think, after the way you left, that she might not want to see you, big brother?”
“She loves me, Tori. You wouldn’t know what that means.”
She glared at him. “I’m sure your job must be thrilled about you taking a vacation so soon.”
“I’m actually on a business trip, Tori. I took care of a few calls while you were sleeping.”
She tossed her trash into the basket and turned to her brother, “Just don’t get your hopes up, is all I’m saying.”
“Tori, how long have you known me? I always end up getting what I want.”
* * *
Julio leaned forward and gave Isabel a kiss. She recouperated, them remembered where she was. Blushing, she pulled back. Molly watched the two with a smile. “Julio, do you remember my friend, Molly?”
“She’s the one responsible for our first date?” Isabel blushed a deeper red, while Molly stuck out her hand.
“Exactly. It’s a pleasure to see you again Julio.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” He gently lifted her hand and kissed it.
Molly laughed, “You have a charmer on your hands, Isabel.”
Isabel threw a mock fit, “Not if he doesn’t stop flirting with my friends.” She gently hit Julio’s arm. “Why are you here? Your mom doesn’t need another gift, does she?”
“I was hoping that I could treat you to lunch.”
Isabel glanced at her watch and sighed, “I don’t have lunch for another half hour.”
“Go now,” Molly cut in.
“But you’ll be down a person for the shift.”
“Isabel, I’m the manager on duty. I’m ordering you to go to lunch,” Molly gently turned her friend towards the direction of the doors. “Now go enjoy lunch with your attractive boyfriend. I’ll try not to be jealous as I fold shirts.”
Isabel smiled at her friend and mouthed ‘thank you’. Molly made “shooing” motions with her hands at the two and watched as they walked out.
* * *
Lynne looked at the boxes that were scattered throughout the room and sighed. “I know this party is important, but it kills me,” she slumped on the counter, “kills me that we have to lose a day’s worth of business to set up.” Her mother smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“We can’t set up with customers in the shop. Better to get everything out of the way in one day.”
Her father and Charlie were struggling with a mannequin that they were trying to erect against one wall. He glanced over at his daughter and wife, “I might need an extra pair of hands.” Carleen shook her head and walked over to assist; Lynne didn’t move. She watched them labor and absently played with a pumpkin placemat on the counter. The three were finally able to get Frankenstein to stand on his own. Carleen broke off to go hang more decorations, while Charlie began digging through another box. Levy walked over to the counter.
“Hey Lynney, you awake?”
She glanced up at her father, “I’m fine, why?”
“You didn’t come to help us.”
“I thought it was something the three of you could handle,” she snapped back, although she hadn’t intended to. Her father looked somewhat off put by the response.
“Is something bothering you?”
“No, I’m fine. We should get finished, I really would like to open tomorrow.” Lynne gathered up some decorations and walked away from her father.
* * *
Molly was bent down, digging through the mess underneath the registers. She grabbed some former customer offers, now way past deadline, and stuffed them into a large black bag. As she reached further back into shelves under the register, someone said her name. Molly smacked her head and cursed, she stumbled out, falling on her butt, before finally managing to stand. She held her head and forced a fake smile as she went to address the customer. Her smile faded into a look of shock. “Tim?”
“Molly, how are you?” He leaned against the counter, applying all of his charm.
She returned to a tight, uneasy smile. “Me? Oh, I have been fine.”
“That’s good to hear.” She shifted uncomfortably under his steady gaze. “So I was wondering if you could help me?”
“Oh? With clothing?”
Tim laughed, “No, No. With Isabel actually?”
“How could I help you with that?” Molly felt sharp pains coming from the growing bump on her head and continued to gently rub the tender spot.
“I thought I saw her car outside, but I don’t see her in the store. Is she in the back?” He leaned over further towards her; his voice seemed urgent, “I really would like to talk to her.”
“She,” Molly bit her lip, “She went home sick actually. Alicia stopped by earlier and picked her up because she was nauscious.” Molly was uncomfortable lying; she hoped that the pain would mask this uneasiness in her face.
Tim stood up straight, disapointed. “Well, I guess I’ll have to hold off on that conversation.”
“I could tell her you stopped by,” She quickly added, “If she comes and picks up her car. You know, later, if she’s feeling better?”
“I don’t think that will be necessary, Molly, but thank you for the offer.” She wanted to ask why that was the case, but she desperatly needed to collapse into a chair. Tim began to leave, but turned and called out over his shoulder. “Molly.”
“Yes?”
“It really was a pleasure to see you, again.” A big, wide-toothed smile that didn’t help her uneasiness spread across his face. Molly waited for him to leave the store before she fell against the counter, allowing the diziness to hit. As she shook off the cobwebs, she paused.
“What am I going to tell Isabel?”
* * *
Alicia walked into the shop, followed behind by a morose Shane. Carleen swept over to them, “Alicia.” She hugged her, then glanced at the young man standing behind her.
“Carleen, this is Shane, Shane this is Carleen.”
“Nice to meet you,” Shane softly spoke.
“You as well,” She gave Alicia a curious look.
Alicia rolled her eyes, “Shane’s my best friend and he’s going through some-” She glanced at her friend, “relationship problems. I told him that helping us set up at the shop would work wonders to make him feel better.”
Carleen smiled, “Well, anyone’s welcome. Come on Shane, let me give you a tour of our little Haunted Coffee Shop before I put you to work.” Carleen took Shane’s arm and began leading him away; He shot a panicked look at Alicia who smirked and shrugged.
* * *
Jillian McCaulley made her way to the door as the doorbell continued to ring. “I’m coming hold on.” The doorbell answered her, a third, a fourth time. She finally threw open the front door and caught her breath. Tim stood there, his finger ready to press the bell a fifth time. “Mrs. McCaulley,” He smiled, flashing a row of white teeth.
“I’d advise you to wipe that smile from your face, Timothy.” Jillian glared at the young man who’d recently broke her daughter’s heart. “What do you want?”
* * *
Lee Hathway made his way through the student center, preoccupied with a student newspaper held in his hands. Agiley, he sidestepped the other students, although he was only partially aware of his surroundings. In on ear was a headphone, which broadcasted the latest podcast from the University. With all those distractions, Lee didn’t notice as Regina Saul made her way over.
“Lee.” She waved her hands in his direction as she broke through the crowd. As he kept walking, she tried shouting louder, “Lee!” Regina paused, wondering if he was purposely ignoring her. Scrunching up her shoulders, she marched swiftly over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.
Lee spun around. Seeing Regina, he pulled the earphone out of his ear. “Oh, hey. What’s happening?”
Seeing the earphone, her annoyance ebbed. “I saw you from across the way,” she motioned in the general direction she’d come from, “and I thought I should say hello.”
“Oh, well uh, hello.”
“Hey,” she smiled brighter. The two stood awkwardly for a moment. “So, you doing anything right now?”
“No, I’m done for the day, why?”
She grabbed his arm, “Well then you won’t mind joining me for lunch.” Lee, although perplexed, didn’t protest as they began moving towards the cafeteria.
Posted at 11/09/2008 by beck | Comments? (1)